what have you done to it since it started last??
if it was running recently, then its prolly something small. first check your battery is charged, check your earths, check your fuel float(s) that your actually getting fuel, check your getting 12v from the coil and like most have said check your timing and firing order

first off I would say change plugs to a new set. if you have tried SYB spray with no differance I be saying an air leak at the inlet/exhaust gasket. Try spraying some WD over the gasket and see if you see any bubbles forming while turning over. Otherwise I'd start moving the dizzy around clockwise to anti clockwise...but do make a mark where you have it now so you have a referance starting point

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Do the valves again, make sure they are correct

Try replacing the points capacitor (condenser), if its bad points will pit and corrode badly, spark will be too weak to fire properly. Make sure points are clean by using a strip of very fine emery paper that has been doubled over, rough side out. Simply place between the points, let the spring tension hold the emery then pull it through. If no good, try another coil.

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Over 1,000,000Km, but now my retirement restoration project

So now that he has been told to fiddle with the timing, condensor, firing order, plugs, carby, valve clearance, etc. has it started yet?

Just random fiddling and replacing suspect parts will create more problems. The motor was running so it should run again.

Your Mini may have piston pox A very common illness

yep replace or adjust...but mark prior where possible and replace back and change some thing else so you know what was wrong

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

i reset valves today made no difference. has good strong spark at points and plugs.if carby is blocked where would it be blocked??? because i dont get a strong smell of fuel when i keep on turning it over which means it may not be getting enough fuel? just a thought? how do i fix that?

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1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

Ok, is there fuel in the float bowl?

3 things make them go,,, compression, spark & fuel

it would be good if they were all in the right amounts , at the right time

3 things... that`s all

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

fuel is in the float bowl has strong spark and good compression.....

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1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

Has it got the spark in the right spot though ? Turn the motor by hand till the rockers for piston number 4 are in between opening and closing (exhaust just closed , inlet about to open) and this will be top dead center for piston number one . Then mark where the distributer body is on the clamp , loosen the distributer clamp a bit and with the ignition turned on turn the distributer slightly either way and see if the spark plug for number one sparks . If it doesn't spark with a bit of a turn either way something is out in the timing . If it does spark return the distributer to the mark you made earlier and check elsewhere .

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ok well i went to start it again today and still wasnt starting so i loosened the dizzy and turned it clock wise and then is started firing and it started but you would lift the accelerator full on and it wouldnt affect it at all. so then im guessing it must be the timing but i cant seem to work it out becasue i get it on top dead centre (rough estimate) and turn the dizzy until it sparks and then tighten and then it wont even start....i dont understand.

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1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

You said this was a new motor , did you put it in yourself or someone do it for you ? How certain are you about the condition of the carb and the manifold ? As someone mentioned before are there any air leaks ? If it's an SU make sure the piston lifts easily and isn't jammed in the down position .

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yes have checked the piston in the carb and isnt jamming.manifold is fairly new i have extractors.

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1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland